bad knees, any suggestions

I have bad knees too and use the elliptical machine and the recombinant bike for exercise. No running. Even long distance walking bothered my knees.

Great post, I too was wondering the same thing. I just had surgery in November (my 2nd on my left knee). I finally got cleared to start working out and stuck to the stationary bike and elliptical. Few days later my knee is swollen again. I probably over did it just a tad but I look forward to the suggestions as well :-)

I agree with what everyone else is saying- the bike is your best friend because it doesn't put as much pressure on your knees. Some places also have those crank machines that you move with your upperbody while keeping your lower body still. I know this is a great way to get your heart rate up which is what helps you burn calories.

Another suggestion is to do lower body weights to help strengthen the quads and hamstring muscles so that the muscles that support your knee are even stronger. Good luck!

I have a nordic trak ski machine. You slide your feet so there is no impact on the knees. Bikes for any exercise type intensity or eliptical or running is out for me, especially stepping and stair climbing for any length of time! The ski machine got me up to speed so that I can do the DVD's, and I still use it inbetween. Watch out on the squat and lunge movements, but with some slow build up I can do these, now (not sure if you can). After 6 months of exercising I got Wii Zumba and it's really toning and burning mega-calories! It hasn't hurt my knees or hips, or shoulders.

The Ski Machine is my standard, though. Also swimming is good to me, if you leave out strokes like the frog-kicking breast strokes and substitute a straight kicking motion, or use a kick board you can get some good aerobics in and build endurance. Water aerobics should support your weight, yet give you a good option as well.

I'm in the same boat. My doctor said that the best thing to do is swim. I don't have access to a pool, so he said walking is the best thing. I also have a stationary bike, which he seemed kind of iffy about, but didn't outright veto it. I hope that helps! Good luck!

I was very active in gymnastics, skating and dancing as a young girl. I've sprained, broken and fractured pretty much everything from the waist down..knees, ankles, feet, toes (as well as elbows, wrist and fingers. ouch). All doctors told me that any high impact exercise is off limits..I can't run, jump..can't even do lunges (which is fine with me. haha) but in all cases I was told either walking, elliptical, biking or swimming. At the gym I usually do the elliptical or treadmill and on the weekends (weather permitting) i may ride my bike, walk or swim. It took a lot of healing of the knees before I could ride a bike and there was some pain at first. Over the years I've built up enough strength to try some high impact stuff, but I know my limits and if there is something I can't or shouldnt do then I dont push it. It's probably best to check with your doctor.

I went to my doc and asked for some PT so I could learn exercises specific for my knees. I can use the treadmill but not the elliptical, can't use the stair stepper often either as that aggravates my knees to to end, but I walk and do weights and use my bike. Water aerobics is great for bad knees. Good luck, it is a challenge.